Although a balanced diet high in fruit and vegetables will provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for good health, having a balanced diet will not in itself clear your skin and 'cure' your acne.

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Mythbuster

#68

Steroids won't cause acne

Anabolic steroids illicitly used for bodybuilding often cause acne and are linked to more severe forms of acne seen in some men.

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Mythbuster

#27

Masturbation causes acne or makes acne worse

Using lots of over-the-counter acne medication containing active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will improve acne.

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Mythbuster

#49

For women, acne outbreaks can't be blamed on getting a period

Not true. Many females notice their acne worsens just before their period. This is due to changes in female sex hormones which can contribute to the blockage and inflammation of the pore.

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#62

Acne is not hereditary

Not true! Some traits do 'run in the family'. Studies show that the likelihood of acne is greater in people whose parents or siblings have also had acne.

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#37

Picking and squeezing pimples is OK

Don't do it! Picking and squeezing pimples quickly and visibly worsens acne. It also carries the risk of permanent scarring.

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Mythbuster

#56

Acne is caused by poor hygiene

Acne happens when the oil glands (pores) in the skin become blocked. Hormones make the oil glands produce more oil (sebum) and if the pores are blocked, a build-up occurs and you've got acne. It is not caused by poor hygiene, however keeping your skin clean will help acne.

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#51

Masturbation causes acne or makes acne worse

Masturbation will not cause acne or make acne worse.

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Mythbuster

#31

Sunlight, sun-baking or solariums will improve acne.

Sun exposure can cause inflamed spots to turn dark brown. It will also cause premature wrinkles, other signs of aged skin, skin growths and skin cancers. Although some people with acne notice a small improvement in their acne during summer, the benefits of extra exposure to sunlight are at best small, while the risks are large.

Low GI diet: best evidence for improving acne

If you're wondering what food changes you can make to help improve acne, a low Glycaemic Index (GI) diet has the strongest evidence available when it comes to diet and acne, according to a recent research review.

What's a low GI diet?

The GI rates carbohydrate foods according to how quickly they raise the glucose level of the blood. High GI foods include foods like white bread and instant mashed potatoes while examples of low GI foods include wholegrain or multigrain bread, and porridge made with rolled oats.

Diet and acne triggers

Researchers reviewed information on specific nutrients, foods or dietary patterns that may act as triggers or be beneficial for acne, to identify evidence-based recommendations.

High-glycaemic-load diets continue to show the strongest evidence as dietary acne triggers, while randomised controlled trials have demonstrated significant improvements, decreased skin inflammation and a reduction in the size of oil glands in people with acne after low GI diets.

Brisbane dermatologist and All About Acne member, Dr Brian De'Ambrosis said many dermatologists will now recommend a low GI diet in conjunction with medical treatments to improve acne.

"For doctors, it is all about the evidence and a number of studies demonstrate the value of low GI diets," he added.

Similarly, further research is warranted for omega-3s and probiotics and their potential benefit in acne.

Promising research findings

A randomised controlled trial with omega-3 fatty acid supplements and gammalinolenic acid supplements found clinical improvements in acne lesions, while a combination trial with the antibiotic minocycline and probiotic supplementation resulted in a lower total acne lesion count compared to the antibiotic alone.

Zinc supplementation has generated mixed results for helping to improve acne as published studies have used different zinc doses and formulations, while some studies have also included other components such as antioxidants with the zinc formulation. The authors of the study said future research focusing on zinc must account for these multiple factors.

Balance is key but don't rely on diet alone

Dr De'Ambrosis said it was important to remember good quality carbohydrate food provided many important nutrients and should be part of a balanced diet.

"Choose less refined carbohydrate foods like wholegrain or multigrain breads and cereals, pears with the skin, raspberries, green peas, and baked beans, which are all low GI foods and high in fibre," Dr De'Ambrosis said.

"The more fibre in a food, the more slowly it's digested and the more slowly your blood sugar levels rise."

Dr De'Ambrosis said more research was needed before doctors could make other dietary recommendations for acne, and in the end, diets can only do so much.

"If you notice a particular food regularly triggers an acne outbreak, then it makes sense to avoid that food. However, don't lose heart if a healthy diet alone doesn't improve your acne," he said.

"Dietary changes may be partly effective for some people with acne but diet may not work for everyone. Medical treatments are still the main way to improve acne, particularly severe acne," said Dr De'Ambrosis.